Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week I highlight a new blogger, The Sleepy Bookworm.
Like the blog title says, I’m a huge bookworm; a literature lover, bookishly bonkers and obsessed with amassing my own private library. The ‘sleepy’ part of the title refers to the fact I’m constantly tired because I have a chronic illness called M.E (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis). Living with a chronic illness is like living with a really demanding and clingy roommate; it’s restrictive and exhausting. I don’t know why I started this blog but living with a chronic illness can be isolating and lonely; I think it’s important to write and share my experiences. Through this blog I hope to raise awareness for those struggling with invisible and chronic illness; those with mental health problems and those that struggle to keep fighting their own body day in and day out. Maybe my posts will go unread and just provide a mental and emotional catharsis; or maybe someone else suffering with chronic illness will read and relate to my experience and feel a little less lonely and isolated.
Out of the 24 possible character strengths in the VIA Character Strengths Survey, only five are strongly associated with satisfaction with life. People with hope, zest, gratitude, curiosity and the ability to love and be loved as their top strengths seem to have higher life satisfaction. Gratitude has never been a strength of mine. Every […]
Sarcoma Awareness Month is observed annually every July. If you are wondering what sarcoma is, it is a type of cancer that occurs in various locations of the body. ‘Sarcoma’ is the general term used to refer to a broad group of cancers that begin in the soft tissues and bones. Soft tissue sarcoma forms in the tissues that connect, support, and surround other body structures, including muscle, fat, blood vessels, nerves, tendons, and the lining of your joints. There is not only one type of sarcoma but actually more than 70 types. Sarcoma treatment varies depending on the type of sarcoma, location, and other factors.
HISTORY OF SARCOMA AWARENESS MONTH
Sarcoma Awareness Month is held each year during July, and strives to raise awareness about what is considered to be the “forgotten cancer.” The truth is that little is known about sarcomas and efforts to encourage research and drug development are made more challenging due to a lack of awareness and understanding.
Unfortunately, it is not fully understood why some people develop sarcomas while the majority do not. However, researchers have been able to single out some indicators that may play a key role in causing sarcomas by identifying common characteristics in groups with unusually high occurrence rates. Although the causes of sarcomas are unknown, some known risk factors must be taken into account. One of the risk factors is exposure to phenoxyacetic acid in herbicides or chlorophenols in wood preservatives. An unusual percentage of patients with a rare blood vessel tumor have been exposed to vinyl chloride in their work. This substance is used in the manufacture of certain plastics. Another cause of sarcoma is high doses of radiation.
Scientists have focused on genetic alterations that may lead to the development of sarcomas. They have also found that there are a small number of families where more than one member in the same generation has developed a sarcoma. These cases of sarcomas within the same family may be related to a rare inherited genetic alteration. However, sarcomas are a completely random event in a family’s cancer history in the vast majority of cases.
Hi! So glad you are enjoying the Today in History each Sunday.
1955
Disneyland opens
Disneyland, Walt Disney’s metropolis of nostalgia, fantasy and futurism, opens on July 17, 1955. The $17 million theme park was built on 160 acres of former orange groves in Anaheim, California, and soon brought in staggering profits. Today, Disneyland hosts more than 18 million visitors a year, who spend close to $3 billion.
1938
Douglas “Wrong Way” Corrigan crosses the Atlantic
Douglas Corrigan, the last of the early glory-seeking fliers, takes off from Floyd Bennett field in Brooklyn, New York, on a flight that would finally win him a place in aviation history. Eleven years earlier, American Charles A. Lindbergh had become an international celebrity …read more
1941
Joe DiMaggio ends 56-game hitting streak
On July 17, 1941, New York Yankees center fielder Joe DiMaggio fails to get a hit against the Cleveland Guardians (then known as the Cleveland Indians), which brings his historic 56-game hitting streak to an end. The record run had captivated the country for two months. Joseph …read more
1763
John Jacob Astor is born
Destined to make a fortune from the furs of the American West, John Jacob Astor is born in modest circumstances in the small German village of Waldorf. Although the number of foreign immigrants to the U.S. who succeeded in striking it rich is often exaggerated in the popular …read more
1967
Jimi Hendrix drops out as opening act for The Monkees
On July 17, 1967, one of the oddest musical pairings in history comes to an end when Jimi Hendrix dropped out as the opening act for teenybopper sensations The Monkees. The booking of psychedelic rock god Jimi Hendrix with the made-for-television Monkees was the brainchild of …read more
This is my birthday weekend. I picked the photo because I’m losing weight and haven’t had sweets in ages. But this weekend I get to eat a piece of cake. I have many favorites but my all-time fav is regular white cake with white sugar icing. Yummy!
I am having my favorite for dinner on my day, grilled salmon with mushroom rice. Rice is also a treat.
Happy Birthday to all those born under the sign of Cancer.
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you!
I have the greatest memory. From the time I moved out, my grandparents would get on the phone and sing me Happy Birthday at the start of the day. I miss their voices, especially on my birthday.
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share; the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the ‘Weekend Music Share‘ banner in your post, and don’t forget to use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
This is a great repost for those who are being asked to buy a pet.
Many teenagers ask their parents for a dog, and it can be tough to decide as a family whether the time is right to add a canine companion. A dog can be a great way to teach your teenager to be more responsible, but a pet can also help with mental health. By getting a dog, your teen gets to experience the joy of owning and bonding with a true friend.
Pets can be especially beneficial for teens who are struggling with emotional or psychological issues. Many teenagers struggle with their mental health, so the idea of them being helped by owning a dog is worth investigating. For serious problems, professional therapy should be sought, but a dog can help with your teen’s self-care.
Growing Up With A Pet
Your teenage years are a turbulent time. Teenagers often start to pull away from their families at this time, as they search for their own identities, separate from their parents. Caught between childhood and adulthood, many teens struggle to find their place in the world, leading to a sense of confusion.
Many young people lack the skills in coping that they need to deal with troublesome emotions. Sometimes teenagers are left to face these worries alone, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Young people with a pet tend to function better emotionally than those without. Pets give teens a sense of purpose and force them to interact, even at times when they might not feel much like socializing.
Teens who care for an animal build stronger social relationships. Caring for a dog can help teenagers to connect more to their community too. High levels of attachment to a pet can also help teenagers to feel more connected to others, feel more empathy, and have more self-confidence.
If you’re thinking about getting your teen a dog from somewhere like Lucky Labs, then you might want to consider these benefits.
Dogs are easier to hug than a person
A lot of teens aren’t naturally very affectionate, but a pet can help to turn that around. Animals will always demand (and get) attention. It’s much harder for a teenager to ignore an animal seeking attention and expressing their love. This can be very important for teens who aren’t feeling much affection from their peers or are feeling more distant from their parents.
Dogs are all ears during tough times
Many young people don’t feel that adults understand them or what they’re going through. This means they’re likely to bottle up or push down their feelings instead of talking about them, which isn’t helping. A dog can be used as a listening ear, which is a great way to process and put into words any confusing thoughts and emotions that they might be having. After all, dogs are the best listeners.
Dogs melt away stress and anxiety
There are few things as effective as petting an animal for soothing and calming a stressed-out mind. Playing with a dog increases levels of oxytocin, which is a hormone that reduces stress, and decreases cortisol, the stress hormone. Having a pet is good for your physical health too. Owning a pet is associated with a decrease in blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, which all reduce the risk of a heart attack.
Dogs help with socialization and communication
Owning a dog can help young people to enhance their social skills, which is especially useful for teenagers with autism. Animals help young people to feel more assertive and increase their confidence when they interact with other people. Having a dog gives your teen something to talk about if they get stuck for conversation, and also acts as a way of getting people to engage with them in social situations.
Having a dog can also help you to meet new people and start conversations, something which teenagers can struggle to do. Many teens are caught up in social interactions online, whereas a dog is a great ice breaker for real-life social situations. People always want to stop and talk to a dog.
Dogs are always by your side
A dog is always there for you, even when things are at their hardest. People can come and go in life, but a dog is loyal and with you through every step. A dog can help to fight feelings of depression and anxiety as they provide companionship. Owning a dog can have a positive impact on a person’s self-esteem, as well as other psychological benefits such as lessening feelings of loneliness and helping someone to become less introverted.
Dogs provide structure
Dogs are a great way to teach a teen to be more responsible and are also a good way of adding structure. The structure is helpful for teenagers who may be feeling adrift from their normal life. No matter how disconnected you feel, a dog will still need you to be up and ready to take it for a walk at least once a day. A dog can help to fight the urge to stay in all day when you feel down, which is an urge that teenagers can often fall victim to.
Dogs make your brain release the love chemical
Spending time with a dog releases the hormone oxytocin, sometimes known as the love chemical. This hormone plays a part in bonding and trust, as well as reducing stress. This feeling of being bonded to your dog can be very beneficial to a young person who is suffering from PTSD, anxiety, or depression.
Dogs also help you to release endorphins. Just seeing a dog can trigger your brain into releasing these endorphins, which are natural anti-depressants. Even when you’re doing the jobs that are a less pleasant part of dog-owning, like cleaning up after them, you’ll feel more positive just by having the dog around.
Dogs can help against allergies and asthma
Children who grow up in homes with dogs or other furry pets are less likely to develop common allergies. Children who are exposed to dogs and cats are a lot less likely to develop allergies such as dust, grass, ragweed, and pet allergies, and are at a lower risk of asthma. Allergies can make people become lethargic, apathetic, and struggle with insomnia. These problems make young people more vulnerable to mental health struggles, like depression.
Dogs make you laugh
Dogs can be very funny companions and are bound to make you laugh every day. Whether they’re being clumsy, adorable, or silly, your dog will cheer your teen up by making them laugh. Laughter is one of the best forms of stress relief.
Owning a dog can be very positive for people of all ages. If your teenager is begging you for a dog, it’s worth thinking about all the ways that they might benefit from dog ownership. Dogs are good for mental and physical health, as well as teaching your teenager to be more responsible and social. If you think your teenager is ready for the responsibility of owning an animal, the benefits could make the decision for you. Just remember that a dog is a big commitment, and you should be certain that your child is capable of providing the care that a dog will need. Agree in advance how much responsibility you as the parent will have, such as feeding and bathing. Choose a breed that suits your home and lifestyle, and prepare to see a real change in your teenager and the way they feel.
It’s time to gear up for Amazon Prime days, two days of the greatest discounts Amazon has to offer. You will find deals up to 75% off on a huge selection of products. When money is tight the thrifty get shopping for deals.
You can only get these deals if you’re a Prime member but the membership fee will pay for itself if you buy just a few items during Prime. We’ve been Amazon Prime members for years and I can tell you that what we save in free shipping more than pays for our membership many times over.
We also have an Amazon credit card that pays you back, I think it’s 3% on purchases. So we get free two-day shipping and cash back. We buy more at Amazon than anywhere, it’s too convenient.
Another good idea is to go do your wishlist shopping today and put on the wishlist function to save you time during the sale. Amazon brands will play heavily in the sale, some great low prices on electronics.
Moving is always stressful, there’s no way around that. Every step of the process, from selling your property to settling into your new home involves one anxiety or another, but the good news is that you can make it go more smoothly by stepping back and taking some time to plan things out.
As soon as you know that you’ll be moving house, you should start planning for moving day. If you’re moving somewhere that may present difficulties, then you need to plan ahead accordingly. For example, moving to a high-rise apartment will create challenges such as navigating the limited space in your new home.
Other potential complications could occur if you’re moving to a new country. You will have to navigate different rules and regulations and make sure that you familiarize yourself with how buying/renting a house works in the new country, as well as the logistics of moving there.
Packing
Preparation also helps when it comes to packing. Rather than leaving everything to the last minute, it’s best to start packing when you have a moving date in mind. This also gives you an opportunity to sort through your belongings and decide what you need to keep or what can be thrown away. Moving is always a good time to clear out your things.
Pack up non-essential items first. You can store them in boxes in your home, but many people chose to use a self-storage service to get things out of the way. This also gives you a safe place to stash them and makes things easier on moving days.
The sooner you start packing, the quicker and less stressful the moving day will be. If you can have most things packed away before you make the move, then all you have to do is shift the furniture and a few things that you had to keep with you.
Hire a Mover
Moving to another home typically involves moving large objects, like furniture, from one place to another. While you may be able to fit some things in your car, your furniture will prove more tricky.
This is where hiring a local removalist comes in handy. Movers have a van capable of transporting plenty of large furniture, and they also have the skill to move it safely and efficiently. A mover can also pick up your things from storage services and makes a stressful house move far easier to cope with.
Unpacking and Cleaning
Once everything is in your new house, it’s tempted to crash there and then. However, you won’t be able to settle down and relax until you’re completely unpacked. Work room by room, starting with vital rooms and large items.
Once all the furniture is in place, you can clean up and work with your smaller items. You might not be able to get everything sorted out the day you move in, but it’s best to get at least a couple of rooms done as soon as possible.
Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week I highlight a new blogger, This is me.
Hey there! Here with a plan of finally living life to the fullest.
Lets make My Story start here
Learning to face toward God rather than the past
I have a story to tell. It may help others who have experienced similar situations. But first I have to go on this journey. A journey where I figure this out. How to navigate my story and to understand it. Understand why this is even my story. Why did I have to go through what I went through? Where was God during all of this? What does he want me to do with it? I don’t want to miss any cues as to what He has planned. Where will my story go?
I’m a bit under the weather so no Today in History but I wanted to send some sunshine so here’s a photo of my Wandering Purple Jew Ivy. It loves this hot weather and is thriving.
I hope you’ve had a great day and weekend. Be back tomorrow with Blogger Highlight.
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “make a note.” Do with it what you will. Have fun!
I have two thoughts that quickly come to mind. The first is “take a note”, reminds me of a time before computers in the office and the receptionist would write your caller information down on a pink piece of paper. That was the time for typewriters, which they taught in my high school.
The second it “take a note” reminds me of post-it notes, I had them everywhere in my office, purse, briefcase, and pockets. They mostly came in yellow then, long before vivid colored ones. In business, we relied on them like gold. I even have a few bookmark-size ones inside my desk.
The good ole days!
Melinda
Here are the rules:
1. Your post must be stream of consciousness writing, meaning no editing (typos can be fixed), and minimal planning on what you’re going to write.
2. Your post can be as long or as short as you want it to be. One sentence – one thousand words. Fact, fiction, poetry – it doesn’t matter. Just let the words carry you along until you’re ready to stop.
3. I will post the prompt here on my blog every Friday, along with a reminder for you to join in. The prompt will be one random thing, but it will not be a particular subject. For instance, I will not say “Write about dogs”; the prompt will be more like, “Make your first sentence a question,” “Begin with the word ‘The,’” or will simply be a single word to get you started.
4. Ping back! It’s important, so that I and other people can come and read your post! For example, in your post you can write “This post is part of SoCS:” and then copy and paste the URL found in your address bar at the top of this post into yours. Your link will show up in my comments for everyone to see. The most recent pingbacks will be found at the top. NOTE: Pingbacks only work from WordPress sites. If you’re self-hosted or are participating from another host, such as Blogger, please leave a link to your post in the comments below.
5. Read at least one other person’s blog who has linked back their post. Even better, read all of them! If you’re the first person to link back, you can check back later or go to the previous week by following my category, “Stream of Consciousness Saturday,” which you’ll find below the “Like” button on my post.
6. Copy and paste the rules (if you’d like to) in your post. The more people who join in, the more new bloggers you’ll meet and the bigger your community will get!
7. As a suggestion, tag your post “SoCS” and/or “#SoCS” for more exposure and more views.
8. Have fun!
For more streams, rules, and tips for Stream of Consciousness Saturday, visit our host, Linda at:
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share; the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the ‘Weekend Music Share‘ banner in your post, and don’t forget to use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
According to a recent study, “we produce up to 50,000 thoughts a day and 70% to 80% of those are negative”. While this may not seem like a major issue (especially if everyone is doing this), negativity takes up more space in our lives than it deserves. After all, a negative mindset impacts our lives in more ways than one and often takes its toll on our mental well-being too.
With that in mind, here are some top tips that you can use to combat negative thinking.
Ask Yourself: Do I really feel that way? Negative thoughts are vindictive – they try to trick us into believing our worst thoughts about ourselves (and others) are true. As a result, whenever you find your mind slipping into negativity, question it immediately. For example, if you’ve fallen out of love with your reflection in the mirror, ask yourself whether you feel that way, or if society (or societal standards) has tried to make you feel that way. Remember that you are beautiful just the way you are – and tell yourself this several times a day.
Seek professional help. As evidenced above, negative thinking is not uncommon. However, when it consumes your every waking moment, you may want to consider reaching out to a professional who can help you find a healthier way to process your feelings. For example, psychologists will not only help you develop a more positive mindset, but they will also be able to help you get to the root of these feelings, figuring out why you may feel that way in the first place. When we can find the cause of our feelings, we can start a new chapter in our lives. Furthermore, this will help you to develop a range of coping techniques and mechanisms that you can utilize whenever negativity seeps into your daily life.
Practice mediation. Mediation is another excellent technique that you can rely on when it comes to adopting a more positive mindset, due to the fact that it’s often associated with greater emotional clarity and mental wellbeing. As such, you should try to find a way into meditation, even if you’ve found it difficult in the past. Remember, meditation doesn’t necessarily mean you have to follow a lengthy tape and try different breathing exercises. Sitting in quiet contemplation can also be a great way to collect your feelings.
Repeat positive affirmations in the mirror. Negative thinking is often linked with low self-esteem, due to the fact that negative thoughts will slowly chip away at your confidence. Repeating positive affirmations out loud to yourself can, therefore, be a great way to escape this vicious circle. Each time you find yourself thinking negatively about yourself, be that regarding your looks, intelligence or personality, immediately say three positive things about yourself out loud. While this may not seem all that fruitful, it tricks your brain into becoming gradually more positive and helps you to be kinder to yourself as you realize just how great you truly are.
Many of us have self-esteem problems at some point in our life and I’ve certainly had my share. This is a deeply personal post I wrote to show you how subtle it can be and how to recognize it in your own life. Stop in your tracks and speak up! If that means the end of a relationship, then so be it.
I’m giving examples of life with my ex-husband and partner of 13 years. We were only married for five years so you would think I would have realized/seen or done something different other than getting married.
I met my ex-husband when I was 27 years old, had lots of baggage, and just starting to grow my career. We moved in with each other after six months. RED FLAG.
Not long after he went on a guy’s trip, about a week later a woman called the house asking for him. Come to find out he and his friends had partied with these women, he apparently didn’t tell her he was involved. The next day we were scheduled to go see family, I’m still fuming but I go anyway. Pretending everything was fine to our friends.
About a year into our relationship I was given a trip to Jamaica by my boss. I booked the nicest room which happen to be the honeymoon suite. I didn’t say we were on our honeymoon just wanted the nicer suite. When he found out he went ballistic. Spent the evening flirting with another woman and ignoring me. I lay across the bed crying while he parties in the hot tub.
We were on vacation in the UK and I got my hair cut while in London. My hair was mid-length and I had it cut short. He wouldn’t talk to me for three days. WFT was wrong with me, why didn’t I pack up when we got home?
We went tubing down the river every year with a bunch of friends, one year I got separated from the group. No water, beer, or money. After six hours of floating alone, he never stopped to wait for me. I got heat exhaustion from the day and had to go to the hospital. Never said he was sorry. Then to top it off wants to drive three hours out of the way home to pick up something. I’m in excruciating pain but went along.
These are all things that happened before we were married. I didn’t see how he ran all over me and I let him. I don’t know what I was thinking, but did I think I deserved this behavior. Now he wasn’t always this way. He was magnetic, charming, outgoing, romantic, good looking.
This is the day that broke the camel’s back.
We were scheduled to go out to dinner and he came home four hours late, drunk, and never called. When I asked why he did care enough to call he blew me off. I was fuming. I got in the truck to go to dinner and he lifted his hand towards me. That was it. I got out of the truck, went to bed, cried, and decided to file for divorce.
The thing is I didn’t realize how bad he treated me until I met my husband. It became clear that there are people who know how to treat people with love and respect.
Don’t be a mouse, speak up for yourself and get out of a relationship where you are not valued and equal.
This is another blast from the past post that I thought you would get a kick out of. You can read Part 2 here.
At five years old I loved my baton and was quite good. One day I got mad at my mother and bashed several holes in my closet door. There went the baton and the dream. No anger issues here!
A large group of friends and I would tube down the Nacogdoches River every year. It’s a 6-8 hour trip if you do the full stretch. There is a dangerous waterfall along the way. In previous years I would get out with others and haul the beer coolers around the waterfall. It was so hard on my back. One year I decided to go over the waterfall. As I came over to the other side people were taking photos, clapping, and cheering me on, I was acting like I won a marathon, then someone said to look down, no more two pieces after that.
This is one story I debated telling in case my brother ever reads my blog. He was about six and taking a bath. He starts yelling for me to come in the bathroom, I hurried in to find he had found a washer and put it on his penis. I’m trying to pull the thing off you know the rest of the story. I gave up and left him to figure it out
I wore a beautiful white and light-flowered long dress for a school formal and had the florist make a head flower wreath that matched to wear. I thought it looked beautiful, everyone kept calling me mother earth. Today that would be a huge compliment.
My granny watched my boyfriend and his friend paper our house, never interrupted them, just enjoyed with pleasure. The next morning she wakes me up at 6am to go clean it all up before the neighbors see.
In my bedroom, there was a street light, a street sign that said Goodnight, and 12 orange cones. Granny kept asking where this stuff was coming from. “it was on the street was not a lie”.
My girlfriend and I took all the orange cones and scattered them randomly in the neighborhood of a certain person on our shit list that week. It was a great payback.
In high school, I spent an hour on my hair every morning. Granny was the alarm clock for the household. One day she overslept and there was only time to dress and go to school. I said I can’t go to school today unless I do my hair. Gramps blew a gasket, “school was more important than my hair, you’re going to school!!” I started washing my hair in the sink, we didn’t have a shower. By the time I came out of the bathroom to blow dry hair granny managed to help gramps understand how important a girl’s hair is in high school. Yeah, granny!!!!!!!
I always end with my favorite story.
I was in love with a Purple pantsuit with Elephants on it my granny made. During recess, I tell the teacher I have to go to the bathroom. No, she said go play. A few minutes later I’m back begging to go to the bathroom, NO again, go play. The third time she said No I said “I’ll use the bathroom right here”. To her surprise I had diarrhea, it ruined my favorite suit, and she never even said sorry.
Sometimes your mind tricks you into eating more than your body needs and you end up eating more than you should have eaten, which later leads to consequences such as digestive discomfort, nausea, tiredness, and acidity. Why do we overeat at times, in spite of being aware that we need to stop at that point? […]
Whether we like it or not, we’re all going to get older – it’s inevitable. What isn’t inevitable, however, are the sicknesses, aches and pains, and loss of memory that are often seen as part and parcel of getting old.
Although none of us can ever totally prevent the possibility of ill health, there are so many things we can all do to lower our personal risks and age as well as possible. Here are a few of the most effective:
Eat and drink well
It seems like this is always the advice, but the fact of the matter is that eating a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water while moderating your alcohol intake is the most important factor in your present and future health.
Eating a balanced diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and oily fish will ensure that you get all the vitamins and minerals you need to protect your health and keep your brain firing on all cylinders.
Do puzzles
Puzzles like crosswords and sudoku and memory games for seniors are not only a lot of fun, but they also help to keep your mind active. The more you use your brain on a daily basis, the fear of brain cells you will lose as you age and the less likely you will be to develop issues like Alzheimer’s.
Obviously, when it comes to your health there are no guarantees, but a daily challenge to the brain could work wonders.
Take care of your teeth
You only get one set of adult teeth, so it’s really important that you do whatever you can to take care of them. As a minimum, you should brush and floss daily and see your dentist at regular intervals throughout the year. Doing this will not only help to protect against tooth loss and the wearing of dentures but since gum disease has been linked to illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, it could also help to prevent serious health issues too.
Ideally, if you want to age well, you should be active every single day of your life. Whether it’s going for a brisk walk after dinner or hitting the gym for a tough workout, you need to keep moving if you want to maintain bone density, prevent strokes, diabetes, and heart disease and maintain good mental health. Active seniors are also less likely to have fallen, so although you may not be a senior now, you need to put the work in so that when you are older, you’re better able to cope and your quality of life is vastly improved.
Schedule regular health appointments
Perhaps most importantly of all, if you want to age well, you should make an effort to look after your health by having regular physical exams, hearing tests, and preventative treatments. If you avoid healthcare professionals like the plague, you’re less likely to catch issues early before they become a bigger problem.
Live well and look after yourself now and you can expect to live well and have a great life as you get older!
You may be surprised to know that there are many awareness days beyond the traditional we’re accustomed to. This month alone there were close to 50 awareness days. They celebrate a little of everything but I’ll stick with the most common for space’s sake. If you are curious, look it up.
On July 4th, the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, which had been written largely by Jefferson. Though the vote for actual independence took place on July 2nd, from then on the 4th became the day that was celebrated as the birth of American independence.
What is all the excitement about?
On June 7, when the Continental Congress met at the Pennsylvania State House (later Independence Hall) in Philadelphia, the Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee introduced a motion calling for the colonies’ independence.
On July 2nd, the Continental Congress voted in favor of Lee’s resolution for independence in a near-unanimous vote (the New York delegation abstained, but later voted affirmatively). On that day, John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail that July 2 “will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival” and that the celebration should include “Pomp and Parade…Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other.”
So glad we have our freedom and no government-run healthcare, we’re not a Socialist society. Just listen to our friends in the UK and see how well that’s going.
Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week I highlight a new blogger, Living 50.
Welcome to my blog. In this new season of my life, over 50, empty nester, and grandparent, I decided to try sharing some of my life’s experiences, lessons that I’ve learned along the way, and hopefully some great content just for women my age. Old is a mindset and I am no where near “old” yet!!! I hope you will be encouraged, inspired, challenged and enjoy a laugh or two along the way.
Welcome to the weekend edition of Today in History. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the post. Have an awesome weekend.
1890
Idaho becomes 43rd state
Idaho is admitted to the union on July 3, 1890. Exploration of the North American continent mostly proceeded inward from the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and northward from Spanish Mexico. Therefore, the rugged territory that would become Idaho long remained untouched by Spanish, …read more
1969
Brian Jones and Jim Morrison die, two years apart to the day
Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones is found dead of an apparent accidental drowning on July 3, 1969. Two years later to the day, in 1971, Jim Morrison dies of heart failure in a Paris bathtub. For all the highly publicized brushes with the law that Mick Jagger and Keith …read more
1775
George Washington takes command of Continental Army
On July 3, 1775, George Washington rides out in front of the American troops gathered at Cambridge common in Massachusetts and draws his sword, formally taking command of the Continental Army. Washington, a prominent Virginia planter and veteran of the French and Indian War, had …read more
1989
A mother is arrested and accused of killing her four children
Martha Ann Johnson is arrested in Georgia for the 1982 murder of her oldest child, Jennyann Wright, after an Atlanta newspaper initiated a new investigation into her suspicious death. Johnson’s three other children had also mysteriously died between 1977 and 1982. Back in …read more
1990
Pilgrim stampede kills 1,400
A stampede of religious pilgrims in a pedestrian tunnel in Mecca leaves more than 1,400 people dead on July 3, 1990. This was at the time the most deadly of a series of incidents over 20 years affecting Muslims making the trip to Mecca. To the followers of Islam, traveling to …read more
Time for SoCs again, this week Linda’s propmt is : Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “—amble.” Add letters to the beginning of “-amble” to make another word or use it as is in your post. Enjoy!“
When I was 19 years old, a friend and I drove from Texas to California and then to Las Vegas. I’m still surprised my old car made it there and back but it was a trooper. We were counting our pennies on the trip and by the time we made it to Vegas I had only $21 to gamble with. This was my first time gambling so I started with nickel slots to help make the fund last. I didn’t win big but I spent an afternoon making memories on $21.
Flash forward to the last time I gambled, maybe five years ago. We stop at this casino that’s in a river boat on the way to Alabama. They have my favorite game, Wheel of Fortune. I’m not a big gambler, would rather buy something or save it than risk it but on this occasion, I have $200 for the night.
Now I get to gamble the dollar slots and I do the max bidding. Sometimes I leave up for the night and others even but whatever the number, I always have a great time wishing on a fortune.
Melinda
Here are the rules:
1. Your post must be stream of consciousness writing, meaning no editing (typos can be fixed), and minimal planning on what you’re going to write.
2. Your post can be as long or as short as you want it to be. One sentence – one thousand words. Fact, fiction, poetry – it doesn’t matter. Just let the words carry you along until you’re ready to stop.
3. I will post the prompt here on my blog every Friday, along with a reminder for you to join in. The prompt will be one random thing, but it will not be a particular subject. For instance, I will not say “Write about dogs”; the prompt will be more like, “Make your first sentence a question,” “Begin with the word ‘The,’” or will simply be a single word to get you started.
4. Ping back! It’s important, so that I and other people can come and read your post! For example, in your post you can write “This post is part of SoCS:” and then copy and paste the URL found in your address bar at the top of this post into yours. Your link will show up in my comments for everyone to see. The most recent pingbacks will be found at the top. NOTE: Pingbacks only work from WordPress sites. If you’re self-hosted or are participating from another host, such as Blogger, please leave a link to your post in the comments below.
5. Read at least one other person’s blog who has linked back their post. Even better, read all of them! If you’re the first person to link back, you can check back later or go to the previous week by following my category, “Stream of Consciousness Saturday,” which you’ll find below the “Like” button on my post.
6. Copy and paste the rules (if you’d like to) in your post. The more people who join in, the more new bloggers you’ll meet and the bigger your community will get!
7. As a suggestion, tag your post “SoCS” and/or “#SoCS” for more exposure and more views.
8. Have fun!
For more streams, rules, and tips for Stream of Consciousness Saturday, visit our host, Linda at:
Looking for the Light 